by Prof. Datin Dr Sapora Sipon
At certain point of my academic life journey, I have reached what felt like a dead end and had definitely lost a sense of joy in my career. Many times I have felt confused and frustrated as if I was getting nowhere. There were moments that I felt detached from life and have the sense that something was amiss. There was a void that couldn’t be filled. That was the time when I needed to ask for directions, to find a map or compass to help me find meaning in life. Otherwise I would encounter a dead end. In life, it is easy to become lost.
With Allah’s blessing, one beautiful serene morning, two good friends of mine introduced me to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zainiy Uthman, their sabbatical supervisors. At that point of time, I was, as if, given a map or compass to my journey of finding “light”, and meaning in my life. More so, in finding the meaning of truth. For that, I thank Allah for His blessings. Meeting Prof. Zainiy somehow touches me deeply (academically). A brilliant and well-read academician. It is not that I do not have role models and mentors. Plenty inspired me. Some opened doors for me. Some shared valuable information. Some guide me. I appreciate each and every one of them. As someone said, “We don’t meet people by accident, they are meant to cross our paths for a reason, either they change our life or we change theirs”. I also believe, everything and everybody that we come across in our lives, enhances our growth. Fulfilling its purpose to be there. Many times, we never realize the reason for their existence or occurrence. In time, some of it makes sense. Sometimes not. Nevertheless, I am sure, there must be a reason why as Allah knows best.
Joining Raja Zarith Sofiah Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science, and Civilization (RZS-CASIS) through auditing and academic attachment gave me significant challenges. At RZS-CASIS, the limits of my knowledge is like a small pebble in comparison to the great ocean of truth. Being on a learning journey at RZS-CASIS requires me to being open to the unexpected and to entail acceptance and even anticipation of the surprises along the way. In the quest of truth one must strive for perfection, even to the point of seeking the unseekable.
My first audit class is Islāmic Philosophy and Methodology of Science (IPMS). The learning processes that I have been through was neither Pavlovian nor Skinner in nature, Prof. Zainiy read “Islam and the Philosophy of Science” a chapter from Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas’ Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam book for that class. Due to my many limitations, I found the book too difficult to understand. I also have to made adjustment to the method of learning (reading from the text) which I was very unfamiliar with. YET, deep inside me, I knew that it was the best time for me not to give up on this class as Rumi, the poet said “What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is your candle” and “If light is in your heart, you will find your home”. I know that, it is me who has to find the light in whatever difficulties that encompasses me.
By profession, I teach counselling. I am also a registered counsellor. Being both, counseling psychology has been my discipline ever since I joined the academic world. I focus on how people function, both personally and in their relationships at all ages. I help people with physical, emotional and mental health issues improve their sense of well‐being, alleviate feelings of distress and resolve crises. Thus, learning the monograph Islām and the Philosophy of Science is a new avenue of learning to me. It deals with the relationship of man to the Almighty and the supreme force responsible for the creation of life in this universe. It deals with the metaphysical aspect of nature. Where a psychologist attempts to understand the role of the functions of the mind in social behavior and explore the neurobiological processes that guide mental behaviors. A philosopher, on the other hand, explores the various possibilities of establishing the truth about the origin of the universe and the nature of the soul. At that point of time, to me, the relationship between philosophy and psychology often remains elusive and I genuinely perplexed as to how the two disciplines (i.e., philosophy and psychology) might relate.
In the IPMS course, I was exposed to the relation between religion and science; the origins and development of Modern philosophy of science, from Mechanical Philosophy. I was also taught the Newtonian paradigm to Quantum physics; the separation of science from metaphysics. Prof. Zainiy explained how methods of scientific enterprise from experimental method to modern empiricism, positivism and scientism. The idea of Islamisation of contemporary knowledge and science in Islam was also discussed.
Instead of giving up the class, I decided to stay on for I am sure that the class would benefit me in the long run. But even more so, my decision to stay and finish the class to the end is to study more on Islam. In addition, I felt the aura in Professor Zainiy’s presence (as the lecturer), from a certain unique approach to life reflection in his words or persona. Along the way, I realized many things about my own self that have stemmed out of this class. I feel that as I start to walk on the way, the way appears (Rumi). It has given me pieces of enjoyment of being a student. It is like the beauty of my life starts to take place again (which I have lost at many times). I am grateful of the learning process. The class ended with my realization that the process of learning need to continue as learning will never stop. Learning to me is like what Rumi said “The very center of your heart is where life begins-the most beautiful place on earth.
( Equivalent to CASIS 1023: Islamic Philosophy and Methodology of Science) class of Sept – December 2019.
The writer id the one in purple at the left side of Professor Zainiy
Islamic Philosophy and Methodology of Science Class
Now, after attending a few audit classes at RZS-CASIS, I find that philosophy is alive and well. It animates and breathes life into the psychological theories, but often doing so in a hidden and tacit way. My challenge is to uncover these hidden philosophical assumptions and frameworks that provide the scaffolding for psychological theories. Most importantly, I have learnt and is still learning on how to be a better MUSLIM.
I have countless weaknesses as a student. I know I wasn’t the easiest or the brightest, but I am very grateful to Allah that I have wonderful TEACHERS. I have teachers who reach to present difficult content, ideas, issues in a compelling and academically way. I am thankful that my teachers at RZS-CASIS grab my interest, make the classroom magic happen, engage my minds and make the class still alive with ideas and comments.
Professor Dr. Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud is like a true Muslim gentleman to me. Someone who can always make your life a beautiful one. To me, Prof. Dr. Wan Mohd Nor always protects the integrity of both himself and people around him. Intelligent, listens to the views of others, always prepared to learn, to develop and broaden his world view. And, he goes out of his way to never make anyone cry.
To Prof. Dr. Wan Md Nor Wan Daud, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zainiy Uthman, Prof. Dr. Tatiana A. Denisova (History and Methodology of Islamic Science and Technology class), Associate Prof. Dr. Khalif Muammar A. Harris (Qur’an and Hadith: Principles, Methodology and Contemporary Challenges class), Assoc. Prof Dr. Wan Suhaimi Wan Abdullah (Research Methodology class); thank you for providing a rich reservoir of knowledge and as Henry Adams quotes “A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops.”
At RZS-CASIS, I witness the cohesiveness or “we-ness” in a group. A group that is tied together by shared goals or responsibilities. I am very fortunate to find myself learning in an institution that seeks to promote post-graduate scholarship and learning for the advancement of knowledge in the fields of study relating to Islam, Science, and Civilization and their allied sciences under the ambit of the worldview of Islam in full cognizance of relevant developments in other civilization, especially in the contemporary world.
At RZS-CASIS, I am also very thankful to learn ideas by a renowned scholar of Islam, Tan Sri Professor Dr. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas who has made significant contribution to the contemporary world of Islam in the domains of the Islamisation of contemporary knowledge and of Muslim education. As among the few contemporary scholars who is thoroughly rooted in the traditional Islamic sciences, Tan Sri Professor Syed Naquib al-Attas is undeniably a competent master in theology, philosophy, metaphysics, history, and literature.
To Tan Sri Professor Syed Naquib al Attas, thank you so much for making this world a much beautiful place to live. Thank you for adding joy and happiness to my life through your writings. Without you knowing, you are a great influence on how I look at life. Being alumna of IBKKM (Institute of Malay Language, Literature, and Culture (IBKKM) (now known as Institut Alam dan Tamadun Melayu (ATMA)) and UKM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), many of my life undertakings are shaped from what I have learnt from these two institutions that you have founded (IBKKM) and as one of the senior founders (UKM). May Allah shower His countless blessings on you and your family .
Of All, I thank Allah for His everlasting blessings. To RZS-CASIS, selamat menyambut ulang tahun ke 10. #10thanniversary #adecadeofdedication
Prof. Datin Dr Sapora Sipon is a Professor in Psychology Counseling at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). She has undergone an Academic attachment at RZS-CASIS from August to December 2020. She has also attended some audit classes at RZS-CASIS.
